How to Register as a First-time Voter?

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – It’s election season, and that means time is winding down to register to vote.

If you’re like me as a first-time voter, you’re registering for the very first time.

Supervisor Carolyn Burrows and revising officer Yalonde Fountain walked me through the process.

So what’s it like and what do first-time voters need to bring?

The answer, just my passport and some filled out paperwork, then the process begins.

Yolande Fountain, Revising Officer, Parliamentary Registration Department
“Mr. Williams, our record reflect that you’re not on the register so we’ll be you’ll be. I’ll be registering you as a register today all right I’d like you to tell me where you live please”

A map of my constituency was provided, enabling me to point to exactly where on the map my house is.

After pointing it out, it was time to take my picture, just like any official document, taken against a white background.

After doing this, my information was written on the traditional purple voters card.

Yolande Fountain, Revising Officer, Parliamentary Registration Department
“And then there’s a counterfoil this goes into a vault it’s kept here at headquarters registry in the event like you lose your card and pull the information you have to interview all over again”

But this old way of doing things is on its way out.

Government is rolling out their new biometric cards. I signed documents to get one, which I’ll have to collect on a later date.

But here’s something I didn’t know.

I had to say a vow, swearing the info I shared was true and accurate.

Yolande Fountain, Revising Officer, Parliamentary Registration Department
“Solemnly, sincerely and swear and confirm that the information is true and correct, thank you.”

Then it was off to verify my home using map technology.

And while the process was seamless, you should get there early to avoid long lines and waits.